Be proud part VI

The three of them walked down a lively street lined with rainbow flags. Rob, dressed in bright orange workwear, oozed swagger with every step. Miguel moved beside him in full black latex, his suit creaking quietly with each motion. Between them walked Yu — casual in a white tank top and red shorts, looking relaxed but clearly curious.

Yu (smiling):
“So… where exactly were we going?”

Rob (grinning, lollipop in his mouth):
“Just a little place we liked. Think of it as… a wardrobe upgrade.”

Yu (raising an eyebrow):
“You mean one of those stores? Full of straps and zippers and... masks?”

Miguel (calmly):
“Among other things. It wasn’t really about what you wore. It was about how it made you feel.”

Yu (laughing a little):
“I mean, sure. I was open. It was all just fun, right?”

Rob (smirking):
“Was it?”

Miguel didn’t answer — he just smiled.

The air smelled like leather, rubber, and something else — something thick, electric.

Miguel walked ahead, latex creaking with each step, like it was part of him. Rob leaned against a rack of bomber jackets and braces, cracking a joke about Yu needing "a proper pair of boots if he ever wanted to be taken seriously."

They laughed. Yu smiled. But inside, his chest was pounding.

Yu’s inner voice:
God. I’ve seen pictures like this for years. Scrolled through them at night. Wished I had the guts to click “buy” or “visit” or even just “save to folder.”

He ran his fingers along the stitching of a black MA-1 bomber.
And now I’m here. Not alone in my room. Not behind a screen.

Rob held up a pair of cherry-red braces.
“Yu, your new look. Come on. Just for fun.”

Miguel tilted his head, expression unreadable under that smooth bald dome. “Or not just for fun…”

Yu’s inner voice:
They think they’re teasing me. But they’re not.
They’re giving me permission.

To want this. To wear it. To be it.

And wasn’t that what he wanted all along?
To be pulled in. Dared. Changed.

Yu smiled and stepped deeper into the store.

Yu stepped out of the changing room — straight-backed, eyes a little wide, but unmistakably proud. The white polo shirt clung tight across his chest, neatly tucked into dark cuffed jeans. Bright yellow suspenders cut sharp lines down his torso. The boots — black with yellow laces — looked like they’d been waiting just for him.

Rob let out a low whistle.
“Well damn. Someone just graduated from observer to official threat.”

Miguel, arms crossed, full latex creaking softly, gave Yu a slow look and a crooked grin.
“Yellow braces, huh? You little piggy.”

Yu smirked.
“Hehe… if I’m doing this, I’m doing it right.”

Rob stepped closer, gave his arm a firm squeeze.
“No turning back now, bro. You look incredible.”

Yu glanced at himself in the mirror nearby.
He didn’t look like someone trying something on anymore.
He looked like someone who belonged.

Still Yu. Just more himself than ever.

Yu sat in the heavy leather chair. The mirror in front of him showed a strong, confident young man in tight jeans, yellow suspenders, and a perfect fade. But it wasn’t finished.

Rob stood beside him, arms crossed, grinning from ear to ear.
Miguel placed one gloved hand gently on Yu’s shoulder, his voice soft and deep.
“So... ready for the final step?”

Yu didn’t hesitate.
“If we’re doing this — we’re doing it right.”

Rob chuckled. “That’s our boy.”

The barber approached, clippers in hand, already buzzing.
Yu looked at his own reflection, took one last glance at the sharp fade…
...then nodded.

The clippers moved across the top of his head — slow, deliberate.
Dark hair tumbled down. Miguel watched closely, eyes gleaming with approval.
Rob leaned in. “You’re not just wearing the look anymore. You are the look.”

As the last stripe was shaved clean, Yu's scalp gleamed under the lights.
Smooth. Proud. Unapologetic.

He ran a hand over his new bald head — and smiled.
Not nervously.
Not shyly.
Just pure, calm power.

Miguel whispered:
“Welcome to the club.”

hey stepped back out onto the street.
The sun hit their boots. Rainbow flags flapped overhead.
Three figures. One energy.

Rob — bold in orange, still chewing on his lollipop like he owned the city.
Miguel — slick and perfect in full latex, eyes gleaming with approval.
And Yu — head shaved smooth, yellow braces gleaming, boots planted wide.
He looked straight ahead, and smiled.

Yu’s inner voice:
I used to dream about this.
Now I live it.

People glanced. Some stared. One guy even did a double-take.
Yu didn’t care.
He just stood tall between his brothers. Confident. Real.
No pretending. No halfway.

This was him now.

Miguel bumped his shoulder lightly. “How’s the view from your new self?”
Yu grinned. “Clear. Sharp. Best decision I ever made.”

Rob laughed. “Told you so.”
And together, they kept walking.
Three silhouettes, one rhythm, boots hitting pavement like a promise.

It had been three days.
Yu had polished his boots that morning. Like always now. His braces sat perfectly against his chest. The white polo was tight, sleeves cuffed just right. His smooth scalp gleamed in the afternoon sun. No hat. No hesitation.

He was grabbing a coffee when he heard it.
“Yu?”

He turned.
Martin.
Old friend from back in the day — gym buddy, occasional wingman, always in Adidas trackpants and a too-big hoodie.

Today? Tight joggers, sleeveless tank, sneakers spotless. Still Martin. But his eyes lingered on Yu’s boots. His braces. His bald head.

Martin:
“Dude… what the hell happened to you?”
Yu grinned. “I stopped hiding.”
Martin chuckled. “You look… fucking incredible. I mean it.”
Yu looked him up and down. Still sporty. Still cautious.

Yu:
“You always had a thing for that look, right? Sportswear boys. Gym gear.”
Martin (grinning): “Guilty.”

Yu leaned in slightly, voice lower now.
“Maybe it’s time you stopped just liking it.”

Martin looked away. Then back again. Quiet. Breathing just a little faster.

Yu smirked.
“You should too. You should—”

(break)
Martin’s phone buzzed.
He fumbled for it, breaking the moment.
“Shit, I gotta run. But hey... we should catch up. Seriously.”

Yu nodded.
“Yeah. Definitely.”

As Martin turned the corner, Yu watched him go — and smiled.

Yu’s inner voice:
One more spark lit.
Let’s see where it burns.